On the Number of Type Change Loci of a Generalized Complex Structure

In this note, we describe a procedure to construct generalized complex structures whose type change locus has arbitrarily many path components on products of the circle with a connected sum of closed 3-manifolds. As an application, we use the procedure to exhibit such geometric structures on a myriad of simply connected 4-manifolds among many others.     

Narrow band quantitative and multivariate electroencephalogram analysis of peri-adolescent period

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The peri-adolescent period is a crucial developmental moment of transition from childhood to emergent adulthood. The present report analyses the differences in Power Spectrum (PS) of the Electroencephalogram (EEG) between late childhood (24 children between 8 and 13 years old) and young adulthood (24 young adults between 18 and 23 years old). RESULTS: The narrow band analysis of the Electroencephalogram was computed in the frequency range of 0--20 Hz. The analysis of mean and variance suggested that six frequency ranges presented a different rate of maturation at these ages, namely: low delta, delta-theta, low alpha, high alpha, low beta and high beta. For most of these bands the maturation seems to occur later in anterior sites than posterior sites. Correlational analysis showed a lower pattern of correlation between different frequencies in children than in young adults, suggesting a certain asynchrony in the maturation of different rhythms. The topographical analysis revealed similar topographies of the different rhythms in children and young adults. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) demonstrated the same internal structure for the Electroencephalogram of both age groups. Principal Component Analysis allowed to separate four subcomponents in the alpha range. All these subcomponents peaked at a lower frequency in children than in young adults. CONCLUSIONS: The present approaches complement and solve some of the incertitudes when the classical brain broad rhythm analysis is applied. Children have a higher absolute power than young adults for frequency ranges between 0-20 Hz, the correlation of Power Spectrum (PS) with age and the variance age comparison showed that there are six ranges of frequencies that can distinguish the level of EEG maturation in children and adults. The establishment of maturational order of different frequencies and its possible maturational interdependence would require a complete series including all the different ages.     

Characterization of Block Structures in Copolycondensates: A Review

Various kinds of copolymers, differing in composition and in arrangement of monomeric units in the macromolecule, can be obtained from the copolymerization of two monomers. In a given composition, monomeric units may assemble in a random way, alternatively, or tend to give sequences of the same unit:     

A new class of conformable spectral observers for signal reconstruction

In this work, the design of spectral observers for signal reconstruction based on Kalman filters is performed and evaluated. The conformable derivative and the beta‐derivative were used to design the Kalman filters. Both derivatives satisfy the same formulas of the classical derivation, eg, the chain rule. The derivative order, the Ricatti equation parameters, and the observers tuning parameters were optimized using an optimization algorithm based on the bat's echolocation behavior (Bat algorithm). The simulation results showed the advantages of using the proposed observers for the signal reconstruction.     

Support vector machines and neural networks used to evaluate paper manufactured using Eucalyptus globulus

Using advanced machine learning techniques as an alternative to conventional double-entry volume equations, a regression model of the inside-bark volume (dependent variable) for standing Eucalyptus globulus trunks (or main stems) has been built as a function of the following three independent variables: age, height and outside-bark diameter at breast height (DBH). The experimental observed data (age, height, outside-bark DBH and inside-bark volume) for 142 trees (E. globulus) were measured and a nonlinear model was built using a data-mining methodology based on support vector machines (SVM) and multilayer perceptron networks (MLP) for regression problems. Coefficients of determination and Furnival’s indices indicate the superiority of the SVM with a radial kernel over the allometric regression models and the MLP.     

Polyarginine nanocapsules: a new platform for intracellular drug delivery

This report describes the development of a new nanocarrier, named as polyarginine (PArg) nanocapsules, specifically designed for overcoming cellular barriers. These nanocapsules are composed of an oily core and a PArg corona. The attachment of the PArg corona was mediated by its interaction with the oily core, which was conveniently stabilized with phosphatidylcholine. Hybrid PArg/PEG nanocapsules could also be obtained by introducing PEG-stearate in the nanocapsules formation process. The nanocapsules had an average size in the range of 120–160 nm, and a positive surface charge, which varied between +56 and +28 mV for PArg and PArg/PEG nanocapsules, respectively. They could accommodate significant amounts of lipophilic drugs, i.e., docetaxel, in their core, and also polar negatively charged molecules, i.e., plasmid DNA, on their coating. As a preliminary proof-of-principle, we explored the ability of these nanocarriers to enter cancer cells and to inhibit proliferation in the non-small cell lung cancer NCI-H460 cell line, using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy analysis. The results indicated that PArg nanocapsules are rapidly and massively accumulated into the NCI-H460 cells and that the PArg shell plays a critical role in the internalization process. Moreover, the incubation with docetaxel-loaded nanocapsules with NCI-H460 cells led to an enhanced inhibition of their proliferation, as compared to the free drug. Overall, this is the first report of the potential of PArg nanocapsules as intracellular drug delivery vehicles.

     

NMR line‐fitting quantification of polysaccharide N‐acylurea‐based modification in glycoconjugates of Salmonella Typhi Vi polysaccharide

The polysaccharides modification via carbodiimide reaction is one of the most applied methods for obtaining conjugated vaccines against Salmonella enterica. However, N‐acylurea carbodiimide adduct generated in the process is a critical impurity in carbohydrate‐based vaccines. A quantitative NMR method was developed for assessing the N‐acylurea carbodiimide adduct impurity. The procedure was based on line‐fitting facilities for processing the NMR signals on complex spectra. The method showed good linearity, accuracy and precision under inter‐operator variation (relative standard deviation <5%). Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.